George R.R. Martin Stars in Tourism Ireland Video

Tourism Ireland has unveiled a new online film fronted by George R.R. Martin, the bestselling author of the Song of Ice and Fire saga, the books that became the TV television phenomenon Game of Thrones.

George R.R. Martin was in Ireland in late August, accepting an award as part of the Irish Book Awards. His last visit to Castle Ward was during filming for season one of Game of Thrones, when the location was chosen as the setting for Winterfell.

While visiting, he took a trip to Castle Ward in Co. Down, where some of Game of Thrones was filmed. Tourism Ireland interviewed Martin as part of the trip, to hear frmo the author what it was like to return to Northern Ireland.

In the video, Martin talks about his delight at seeing Game of Thrones brought to life in Northern Ireland, about Winterfell as the site of the story’s most crucial scene and what it is like to witness the effect that Game of Thrones has had on Northern Ireland.

“Seeing Game of Thrones come alive here in Northern Ireland was a unique thrill. My mind is still boggled, a little, by it,” said George R.R. Martin. “The fact that Game of Thrones has had this impact on Northern Ireland has been profound as well … it’s a pretty heady feeling.”

“This is only the second time I’ve visited Castle Ward. It’s like Winterfell is coming to life here. So, that’s a little surreal and a little mind-boggling,” he explained. “It’s the crucial scene that drives the entire book with Bran’s fall. When Bran sees Jaime and Cersei, Jaime shoves him out the window and says … ‘the things I do for love.’ That’s a powerful moment, I think, in the television show and certainly in the books.”